Shanaya Kapoor’s long-awaited debut in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan got off to a slow start at the box office, earning an estimated Rs 35 lakh net on its opening day, according to early trade reports on sacnilk.com.At a time when several Bollywood newcomers had OTT premieres for their films, Shanaya’s romantic flick headed for a theatrical release. Despite a modest buzz, the film recorded an overall 9.92% Hindi occupancy on Friday, with footfalls paling in comparison to its Bollywood rival Maalik, starring Rajkummar Rao, which opened at approximately Rs 3.25 crore. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s Superman soared ahead with a strong Rs 7 crore debut.Directed by Santosh Singh, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan pairs Shanaya Kapoor opposite Vikrant Massey in a romantic tale inspired by Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It. While the box office numbers were subdued, Shanaya received an outpouring of support from family and Bollywood colleagues. Actor and cousin Arjun Kapoor shared an emotional note on Instagram, posting a poster of the film alongside heartfelt words, “Been amazing watching you grow into this confident, graceful girl… Proud of you and all the hard work you’ve put in. This is just the beginning, @shanayakapoor02.”Karan Johar, who has long championed Shanaya’s entry into films, wrote, “She has poured her heart and soul into her debut feature… Shine on, Shanaya, and welcome to the movies.” Shanaya’s mother also joined the celebration, writing on social media, “My baby’s FIRST movie is out in cinemas. God is kind. #GratitudeAlways.”In an interview with PTI ahead of the release, Shanaya reflected on her journey, calling the delayed debut a blessing in disguise. “It’s all come together, and I’m happy with how the journey has been. The ups and downs were meant to happen for me to be here today,” she said.
